If you are buying a trailer from a private individual, make sure everything works.If the travel trailer or RV comes with a generator, start the generator to ensure it works. Let it run for at least 10 minutes. While the generator is running, check the interior. Turn on the lights. Start the refrigerator if it has the option to run on electric. Check the microwave. Check the faucets to make sure the handles, the shower handle and the drain plugs all work. There may not be water in the tank, but you want to ensure that the handles are not stripped. Some drain plugs have a handle on the spigot or the faucet — these are the things you need to check.

Make sure the toilet operates properly. The flush and rinse sliders — if you have that type of toilet — should operate without sticking, and they should not be loose.

If the travel trailer or fifth wheel RV has an air conditioning unit, turn the air conditioning on to make sure it works. If the heat uses gas, you may not be able to check the heat unless there is gas in the tanks. The same goes for the stove.

Once you are happy that everything works on generator, plug the RV into an outlet if possible. Check to see if everything works with the RV or travel trailer plugged in.

Check in all cabinets for roof leaks. Roof check around the vents for signs of leakage. In most cases, a dealership will repair the leak and fix the water spots on the ceiling, but they may not fix the water spot in the overhead cabinets. Check under the RV or travel trailer to ensure that the floor is not rotting out if it is wood. A lot of older campers were made completely of wood, which tends to rot, especially at the wheel wells. Check the tires. Make sure they have decent tread on them and that the tires do not look dry-rotted.

If you are purchasing a motorized RV, check all the fluids. The radiator should have antifreeze and water and it should be clean. Antifreeze could be green or orange, depending on the type used in that motor. Check the oil. The oil should look clean. Check the transmission fluid. Transmission fluid should be pink. If it is brown or smells bad — transmission fluid has a distinct smell when it is new, and smells pretty nasty when there is something wrong — there could be a problem with the transmission. Check the brake fluid.

Start the RV and take it for a test drive. Make sure the RV shifts correctly. If it has an automatic transmission and shift fine on its own, check it further by manually shifting it through the gears. At a stop, put it in first gear. Move forward. As the rpm raises, shift it into second, than third. You should hear or feel the shifts. If the RV has a tachometer, the tach should drop when you shift the transmission.

When you get back to the dealer or individual that you are buying the RV from, check the oil and transmission fluid again. The oil should still look clean and should not have a frothy look to it. If the oil looks frothy — almost like someone poured milk into the oil — the RV could have a head gasket problem. The transmission fluid should still be pink. Check around all of the hoses and make sure nothing is leaking.

If the RV engine runs smoothly and the fluids look good — and the price is right — you may have just found yourself your next great adventure.

Hours & Info

About Lerch RV

We are PA's Largest Sprinter and Open Range RV Dealership. We have been helping families make camping memories for 36 years. Over those years we have grown to become one of the premiere RV dealerships in the Mid-Atlantic area. So come visit our Milroy,PA location and see what we have to offer.

Our high volume purchasing, low overhead allows us to offer low show prices everyday on a large selection of new RVs by Keystone RV Company and Open Range RV. Check out our extensive line up of new inventory of travel trailers and fifth wheels including Sprinter, Open Range, Passport, Outback, Summerland, Springdale, Alpine, Avalanche, Passport Elite, Copper Canyon and Fuzion toy haulers. Now carry a the Palomino RV line up of Puma, Puma Unleashed toy haulers, SolAire, and Palomini.

If you are looking for a pre-owned RV. Lerch RV has what you are looking for. From Pop-Up campers through Travel Trailers, from 15' trailers to 42' Fifth Wheels, check out our inventory of used campers.

Our low pressure, knowledgeable sales team will gladly help you choose the RV that will suit your needs. Remember that you are never charged for dealer prep of your new RV. Financing is available through our Finance Department, with terms and rates that will work for you.